Searching for the right family Campervan

Hi Casso,

I bought a Windsor Rapid after looking at many different types of camper vans. I have had it for a few years now and am very happy with it.

Perhaps the biggest advantage I have found with the Rapid is that it allows full use of the inside of the van for roadside stops without raising roofs, opening ends etc..., a BIG advantgae in pratical use. I have toured with others in a Jayco and they end up not really using the van during the day. They unload chairs from the vehicle and use an esky to store lunch wheras we simply sit inside the van and use the fridge/sink/table as required. They commented on how user friendly this aspect is and also used the rollout awning on our van to sit under (their bag awning needs the roof to be raised to set up). While you can get into the Jayco at a roadside stop, it is nowhere nears as easy.

Also, the beds ends are not sandwiched between canvas when closed, thus you do not have to put plastic over your bedding to make sure it is dry (in wet weather).

All vans have advantages and disadvatgaes and I don't think there are any that need to be avoided, just need to weigh up all factors and see what suits best.

Cheers

Captain

We bought an old wind-up type van (Jayco Dove style - and may have started out life as a Dove). The people we bought it from used it for weekends away with the children. The pop out under canvas sleeping areas were great in fine weather - but i'd hate to have to fold it up in the wet. We went North and never saw rain so it was OK. It was very easy to tow. The wind up bit was a bit tedious as we moved each day. Someone has mentioned the Windsor Rapid - I haven't seen one, but a number of people on this site have said how good they are - do a search for the threads. If it's for weekends, you don't want anything you have to set up, then pack up again.

hi Casso,
we have a goldstream off road camper and it is great, it has done a number of trips and even been across the simpson. I can highly recommend them we have never had any problems but we do keep the maintenance up. We also make sure that we use the bed end flys because if it is wet we can fold ours up and evey thing stays dry. we had the bed end flys altered a bit to include fly screen mesh on the sides and front because it means we do not need to have tent poles to keep them in place we simply fold them out wich makes them a little more user freindly.
hope this helps a bit
Pmacks

casso,
The mesh on the bed end flys is stiched in and goes all the way around ( the bed end )and no the fly doesnt leak at all even though we NEVER put the poles out. I must admit we are preety lazy campers and the main reason we got the mesh was so the flys will stay in place with out being peged out properly, but as a bonus if you ever stay in a caravan park you can leave the windows open at night and no one can see in even with the lights on.
The other thing about the mesh is when you get it supplied get them to sow some shock cord loops into it at the appropriate spot and then you can attach it to the same studs that you attach the end canvas to and it will not flap about in the wind.
The bed end flys with the extra mesh will still roll up and fit in the bag no problems.
As i said we are preety lazy and the less i have to set up the better. It takes us about 10mins from selecting our spot untill the first beer is open our the kettle on and about the same in reverse to pack up.
Hope this helps
pmacks